Chesterfield Canal Trust’s ambitious plans to preserve and reinstate the historic canal lines that run from Staveley to Kiveton Park have recently continued after the charity confirmed the purchase of two unoccupied houses located on the proposed route.
Further to the transactions, facilitated by leading law firm Banner Jones, the two semidetached, unoccupied properties located on Sheffield Road in Sheffield, can now be demolished to make way for the canal route when it is re-opened in the future, which will run through Killamarsh, leading into Rother Valley Country Park.
Without the invaluable purchases, it would not be possible to reinstate this section of the canal as the two houses have been built on the planned route.
The proposed new route will leave the Nethermore Lake in Rother Valley, from the eastern side via a short length of new cut under Barber’s Lane Bridge and a new minor road bridge, before reaching the bottom of the Moorhouse Flight, which raises the canal back to the original line of the canal.
The Trust are also in discussions about the feasibility of replacing the locks at this section of the canal with an iconic boat lift which could become a huge tourist attraction for the area.
Marking a significant milestone in the organisation's wider plan to connect the last nine miles of the canal network, on completion there will be three pairs of double locks to take the canal down to Quarry Lane and under Sheffield Road.
In the interim period, the Trust will look to utilise the purchased properties as an additional revenue stream to fund their ongoing charitable work.
Banner Jones Solicitors advised Chesterfield Canal Trust on the purchase of the two residential properties, in addition to negotiating and agreeing key access and construction rights in respect of an adjacent property, that will allow the Trust to start work on the site at the relevant time.
Peter Hardy, Chairman at Chesterfield Canal Trust, commented: “The aim of the trust is to promote the full restoration of the Chesterfield Canal so that people all across Derbyshire and South Yorkshire can enjoy it’s beauty, and in doing so encourage a better sense of community that will positively affect people’s health and wellbeing.
“I would like to thank Banner Jones Solicitors for guiding us through this process ensuring that these transactions could be achieved quickly and effectively.”
Ian Osborn, commercial solicitor at Banner Jones said: “It’s a pleasure to work on projects like this one, as the nature of the end objective is unique and presents enjoyable legal challenges.
“We would like to wish Chesterfield Canal Trust the best of luck as the project now progresses, and we’re very much looking forward to assisting with the ongoing legal requirements of the charity.”
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